St. John the Baptist Greek Catholic Church

St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church of Syracuse, New York was constructed in 1913 at the corner of Tompkins Street and Wilbur Avenue. A campaign to raise the money was led by Rev. Alexander Prystay, pastor.[1] It was the first "Eastern Catholic" church in the city.[2]

The church was renamed to St. John the Baptist Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church in 1913 when it joined with the Ukrainian Catholic Church under the direction of Bishop Soter Ortynsky, consecrated bishop for the Ukrainian Catholics in the United States. The name later changed to St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church.[3]

History

St. John the Baptist Greek Catholic Church on the southwest corner of Wilbur Avenue and Tompkins Street in Syracuse, New York in 1913

The majority of Ukrainian immigrants arrived in Syracuse between 1890 and 1895. Many worried about losing their children and young adults to the "Latin Rite" churches where they were attending mass, and the "paramount issue" of the early immigrants became the establishment of their own parish and building their own church.[3]

Ukrainian parish

In 1896, a committee of 14 men gathered in a room at 1021 West Fayette Street to discuss plans for the establishment of a parish and building a church. The committee included; Maksym Pysnack, Fedir "Frank" Petruniak, Pawlo Kamenecky, Mathew Komar, Mr. Parashak, Mr. Solomon, Andrej Waryan, O. Kurylo, Wasyl Kyryk, Philip Kudlick, Harry Hnotko, O. Harasym, Mr. Kusnir and Panko Macko. The results of the meeting were productive and the first church committee was formed and six trustees were appointed.[3]

Ukrainian immigrants in the area had been attending churches of the Latin Catholic Rite. Some attended St. Joseph's German Roman Catholic Church on Seymour Street, most attended Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Park Avenue, while others attended churches in their own neighborhood. Some parents even "waited patiently" until a visiting priest of their own rite arrived in Syracuse so they could have their children baptized in a religious ceremony in the manner in which they were raised.[3]

First church

The six trustees personally visited each of the new Ukrainian immigrants in Syracuse and signed them as members of the new parish. In turn, the immigrants, "from their small wages," generously donated the funds for the purchase of a building to be used as a place of worship as soon as possible. In 1897, the committee successfully located a home and a plot of land on the corner of Wilbur Avenue and Tompkins Street. It was felt it would be a suitable location for a church because it was within "walking distance" for most of the parishioners who lived in the Near Westside on West Fayette, Marcellus, Otisco, Geddes and Delaware Streets; or the Far Westside near Wilbur and Ulster Streets and also the Westside in the Sacred Heart Church area. The parish purchased the wooden structure with the intent of converting it to a church.[3]

Any plans of a new building were delayed because of opposition from neighbors "who feared the intrusion of the new immigrants" in their neighborhood.[3]

In 1900, the Ukrainian people organized a parish and applied for a church charter incorporated under Article VII of the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York under the name of St. John the Baptist Greek Catholic Church of Syracuse, New York. A second committee collected $1,465 for the building fund. The largest single donation was $18.[3]

St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery on Salisbury Road in 2010

Shortly after the church charter, the remodeling of the wooden house into a temporary church began. The temporary quarters were completed in 1903 and blessed by the first permanent pastor officially appointed, Rev. Iwan Welyhorsky, who served the parish every second Sunday of the month. Not long after, in 1902, 1905 and 1906, additional parcels of adjourning land were purchased. The small building was home to the parish until 1913.[3]

Ukrainian cemetery

The congregation purchased land on October 16, 1905, to be used as a cemetery. The land was the property of Max Pysnick and consisted of three acres of farm lots 170 to 175 in the town of Geddes, directly across the road from the Sacred Heart (Polish) Cemetery and adjoining the Geddes Cemetery. Frank Petrunich, president of the church, purchased the land in behalf of the organization.[4] Before the cemetery was established, most of the early pioneers of the church were buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery.[3]

At a meeting hld on July 23, 1911 it was agreed to build a road to the cemetery that would allow access to gravesites further away from Salisbury Road.[3]

On October 8, 1917, a resolution was passed to divide a section into lots for family use and to issue certificates of purchase at the time the full payment was received. The trustees also approved that only parishioners could purchase lots and only Greek Catholics could be buried in the cemetery, with the exception of family members who might be Roman Catholic.[3]

The cemetery was blessed on Labor Day in 1924, starting with the Divine Liturgy which was celebrated by the bishop and pastor. A procession led by the church band, altar boys, school children followed by parishioners and members of church organization "marched from the church to the cemetery" with their flags and banners where they were greeted by a large crowd.[3]

During 1928, city water services were extended to the cemetery.[3]

Ruthenian Greek bishop

In 1907, Rev. Soter Ortynsky was consecrated bishop for the Ukrainian Catholics in the United States. Simultaneously, Pope St. Pius IX issued the Papal Bull, "Ea Semper" which specified the rules, regulations, privileges as well as the obligations of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the new bishop. The bishop and his clergy met in New York City to discuss the major issues and problems of the church in the U.S. As a result of the meeting, the bishop decided that his immediate task was to visit the parishes and churches to both discuss their needs and to unite them under his jurisdiction under the law of Pennsylvania, "especially designated and accepted for the followers of the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church in the United States." The Ukrainian Catholic Church in America grew substantially during that period. In 1909, there were 140 churches and 100 priests and by 1914, the numbers had grown to 206 churches and 159 priests.[3]

The parish members received advance notice about the new bishop in October 1907, and voted unanimously that they would financially support the bishop by donating 5% of the church income. At a parish meeting held on March 5, 1910, it was approved by a majority of votes to place the church and parish under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Bishop Soter Ortynsky. The final charter was accepted by 75 parishioners present on March 31, 1913, who unanimously accepted the new charter. At the semiannual meeting of the church on June 30, 1913, a resolution was duly introduced and passed by which said body adopted and confirmed the Articles of Incorporation for St. John the Baptist Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church, which were recorded in Onondaga County Clerk's office on June 2, 1913.[3] The Roman Catholic diocese of Syracuse was represented in the decision by Bishop Patrick A. Ludden and the church was represented by Rev. Alex Prystay, president, and Wasyl Krasnewich, secretary.[5]

The corporation was controlled by five directors including the bishop, the vicar-general and the pastor of the church and two other lay members of the congregation. The lay members had to be approved by the bishop.[3]

Plans for new church

The first church was soon too small for the parish due to more immigrants arriving each year. The focus turned to construction of a new church and in 1910, the first campaign was started to erect a new church building. A meeting was held on June 5, 1911, to discuss ideas. Fifty members of the parish were present and plans were made to enlist an architectural firm of Armstrong of Auburn to draft the initial plans for the church at a cost of $900. The church officers and parishioners decided to build a church for a sum of $30,000 over some minor objections in a letter from the bishop.[3]

A special meeting was called on February 11, 1912, and was "attended by most of the prominent members of the parish and those who had their church dues paid up." The total attendance was 27 members at which time a building committee was appointed. The second topic discussed was reducing the building fund to $25,000 by cutting out some of the features in the original plans.[3]

The building committee was appointed that same day and included; Paul Kamenecky, Mathew Komar, Mathew Welyczko, Olecka Harasym, Fedor Petruniak and Ilko Kopko.[3]

Architect, Frank H. Armstrong, of Auburn met on February 24, 1912 and it was decided to build a church with a seating capacity of 400, excluding seating in the choir loft.[3]

On April 15, 1912, the architect presented the contract for drafting the plans for the new church which was accepted by the trustees of the Greek Catholic Church of Syracuse, signed by contractor; Frank H. Armstrong, architect, and R. C. Sewards of Auburn; Rev. Alex Prystary, president of the congregation and Prokop Tkaczyk. During early February 1912, the building committee visited various banks seeking a loan for building the new church and soon found no banks in the city would offer them a loan. This delayed construction and also caused frequent changes in the original plans in order to cut cost. The building committee was seeking a loan of $50,000 and eventually they were offered $30,000 from Auburn Savings Bank.[3]

The first bids for construction of the church were opened on July 15, 1912, and ranged from $44,980 to $56,512. The building committee accepted the lowest bid belonging to John W. Gee.[3]

On August 11, 1912, the building committee met again and agreed to abide by the parish plan to build the church at a cost of $25,000 which meant radical changes in the architectural plans. Armstrong agreed to alter different features in the plan which was estimated at $48,000, due to the inability of the trustees to obtain a loan large enough to construct the church with original plans.[3]

On January 27, 1913, a special parish meeting was held to review the modified plans. After reviewing some of the changes, a majority disapproved the changes and by a vote of 27 to 4 agreed to build the church according to the original plans for the sum of $30,000 with some minor changes. New members were appointed to the building committee including Andrew Waryan, Olekca Harasym, Ilko Kopko, John Kozura, Mathew Komar and John Karnafel.[3]

The new plans were once again presented to various building contractors and new bids were received that ranged from $49,225 to $56,512. It was unanimously decided to accept the bid of Dawson Bros for the low bid.[3]

On June 30, 1913, the trustees agreed to authorize and secure a loan from Auburn Savings Bank and from any other bank either in or out of Syracuse for the amount not to exceed $30,000. All of the real property owned by the church at the southwesterly corner of South Wilbur Avenue and Tompkins Street to be used as collateral. The following were present; Rev. Alex Prystay, president; Basil Krasnewich, recording secretary; Philip Kudlik, financial secretary; Paul Komanecky, treasurer; Harry Hhnatko, vice-president and Denys Metwiew.[3]

Church construction

During July 1912, the congregation of St. John the Baptist Greek Church raised $40,000 for a church building at Tompkins Street and Wilbur Avenue. A campaign to raise the money was led by Rev. Alexander Prystay, pastor.[1]

It wasn't until 1913 that the church building, located at 102 South Wilbur Avenue was constructed. The cornerstone was blessed by the late Bishop Sotyr Ortynsky.[3]

The church faces east and is situated on a prominent intersection at the border of Tipperary Hill and Syracuse. This is the main entrance to the neighborhood on the east side of the neighborhood.[6]

The building was constructed in an elaborate Romanesque Revival design with red brick edifice and has "onion-shaped" spires of oriental design which lead to a distinctive addition to the Syracuse skyline.[6] The Byzantine influence is prominent throughout the architecture. The interior walls and ceiling are covered with frescoed paintings which were installed on damp plaster. The sanctuary and altar are hidden from the nave by an "elaborately decorated paneled screen called an iconostasis" which is opened during holy services of the Byzantine Rite by the officiating priest. The altar is carved of wood which has been painted white and adorned with colorful ornate decorations.[6]

The iconostasis was approved on July 2, 1915, and built by parish member, Stephan Mishansky, who agreed to finish construction even though the parish had not paid him for the material and labor due to a shortage in funds. He also agreed to finish the two side altars at his own cost and wait for payment.[3]

In December 1919, members of the church committee "decided to send out a group of carolers" from the parish at Christmastime to collect funds for the purchase of bells for the church. Each group was headed by a member of the committee and covered surrounding areas such as Split Rock, Solvay, East Syracuse, Jamesville, Minoa and Marcellus. Also, leaders were selected for Geddes Street and Delaware Street sections. It was decided at the meeting to purchase three bells.[3]

On September 6, 1920, parishioners and visiting delegations of Ukrainians and priests from surrounding cities, along with Rev. Father C. Kurylic, paster of the Ruthenian Greek Catholic church of St. John the Baptist dedicated the church's first bells at "10 o'clock." The bells were already installed in the belfry of the church. There were three of them, one half-ton, one that weighed 550 pounds and a third that weighed 300 pounds, all cast in Troy, New York. The young men of the church raised $2,200 to pay for them.[7]

At the annual meeting on January 13, 1929, it was announced that the first mortgage was paid in full to Auburn Savings Bank in Auburn, New York.[3]

Ukrainian music

An important part in the daily life of the parish was music. In the early years, during the celebration of the Divine Lithurgy, the congregation would "recite the response in unison." Later, when a qualified leader was found who could lead the congregation in singing the responses, the entire congregation would join in.[3]

Cantor-teachers (diaks) came to the parish a few years later and led the responses of the congregation during Divine Liturgy, Vespers, Matins and funerals as well as all other church services. At first they worked with the congregation in singing the responses and by 1921 a church choir was established. Shortly after, the choir presented an "old country mock wedding" at the New York State Fair grounds under the direction of cantor-teacher, Professor Zaremba with music furnished by parish member, Andrew Hucko and his orchestra. The group received great acclaim and publicity for their performance.[3]

Hucko and his orchestra were popular performers and played at all the church functions that included "bazaars, dances and stage plays requiring music" during the 1920s and 1930s. They were also hired to play at weddings, dinners and dances held by organizations within the parish.[3]

Young men in the parish approached the church council on August 20, 1920, with the idea of organizing a church band. They asked for and were granted permission to use the church hall for rehearsals and an instructor for the band was found. He was a member of St. Stephen's (Slovak) Church. It took a full two years of weekly rehearsals before the band could perform adequately.[3]

The band gave their first performance on January 14, 1923, and played four marching numbers. The band members were paying for their own instruments and for instruction fees and Father Zuk asked for support from the parish to make the final payments on the instruments. Those present at the meeting unanimously approved. That Christmas, the band members went caroling at the homes of parishioners to raise "additional funds" to help pay for the instruments.[3]

The band performed at the blessing of the parish cemetery on Labor Day, September 1924. They played for several more years and gave numerous performances for the parish.[3]

In 1931, the Ukrainian Sich Society, Branch 282 of the Ukrainian National Association organized a mandolin band which played for several years at church concerts and functions.[3]

After the Ukrainian National Home was founded in 1933, an "old country musician's group" was formed and in the 1940s and 1950s, several other orchestras were formed by church members.[3]

A male chorus composed of World War II veterans was organized by Fr. Constantine Berdar in 1946. The veterans conducted rehearsals in the church hall and learned the Panakhyda prayers for the deceased which they sang in church and at the cemetery on "Green Sunday" during the services honoring the fallen service men and women.[3]

In the fall of 1946, the veterans organization opened membership in the chorus to all male parishioners and the choir developed into a "reputable singing group." They sang the responses at the Divine Liturgy once a month and sang patriotic songs at concerts and on the radio. They also sang Christmas carols on radio and television programs and were in existence for several years.[3]

Veterans group

A veteran's group was organized in 1946 and received a charter from the Catholic War Veterans, Post 560 C.W.V. Nicholas Kitt was elected as post commander and Rev. Constantine Berdar was elected as Chaplain. The primary duty of the Post was to assist at funeral services for their departed comrades and their burial in family plots. They also provided assistance to the families and took part as pallbearers and provided military assistance at the ceremonies in the church and at the cemetery and served as honorary guard during visiting hours at the wake. Each year, the group would pay honor at the cemetery to those who gave up their lives for their country and all deceased veterans of the parish.[3]

Church dispute

In July 1932, a dispute in the church was ruled on by the New York Supreme Court who determined the "present officers" of the church would remain in power under an of order of Supreme Court Justice Edmund H. Lewis, which holds that the courts have no power to interfere in the management unless action is brought by the Attorney General under the corporation act. The organization was formed in 1900 and was succeeded by the organization formed in 1913.[8] An election was held in February 1932, by members of the congregation favoring the earlier corporation and the court action was brought by John Kozura, president, and the newly elected board of directors. They attacked the business methods of the later organization and charged it was not legally formed.[8]

Pastor, the Rev. Eustace Sydoriak, was a member of the corporation in charge of the business of the parish. The board, represented by John M. Pysnack, charged that during the 17 years they had been in power, debts had been paid and the assets of the corporation had increased.[8]

In January 1934, a group backing the corporation formed in 1900 were asking for custody of the church's properties on the grounds that the property was purchased by and was still in the name of the original corporation. An order evicting the "present officers" of the church was sought by the New York Supreme Court. The original corporation was known as the St. John the Baptist Greek Catholic Church was governed by six trustees who were members of the corporation. The account was in their name until September 16, 1932.[9] The new corporation, founded in 1913, was managed by a board of five which consisted of the bishop, vicar-general, priest of the parish and two members of the corporation. It was alleged at that time that the officers of the church were "illegally in possession of the property" which was valued at $150,000.[10]

The long court decision appeared to end when the Supreme Court Justice Edward N. Smith directed the representatives of the 1900 corporation take over the assets of the church from the group known as the 1913 corporation.[11]

The ruling was appealed and on February 21, 1928, an election was held after the 1913 corporation emerged successful from the bitter 5-year long battle. While more than 200 members of the original 1900 corporation, organizers and builders of the church stood by, the 1913 corporation elected a new board of trustees under court order. The election was carried out without any problems between the warring factions and "under the watchful eyes of a squad of eight patrolmen."[12]

Most of the 1,300 congregation members were disqualified from voting because members of the congregation who had not performed their Easter duties in 1937 were barred under church rules, leaving the election "largely in the hands of the enemy."[12]

In addition to electing a new board of trustees, the 1913 corporation authorized the new board to prepare a certificate of incorporation, which placed the physical properties of the church in their hands. The court of appeals decision gave the 1913 corporation control of only the spiritual affairs of the church.[12]

Ukrainian church

The church was renamed St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in 1944 and is still in operation today.[6]

St. John the Baptist Ukrainian School, located next door to the church on Wilbur Avenue, was opened in 1954.[6]

Dedication and blessing of a new convent on Tompkins Street took place in 1963 and the church rectory, located at 207 Tompkins Street, was dedicated in 1967.[3]

In 1975, the parish celebrated the 75th anniversary of the parish on October 12, 1975 and in 2000 they celebrated the 100th anniversary in June.[3]

In recent years, local business owner, Peter Coleman, erected a statue of Ukrainian Freedom fighter Taras Schevchenko in front of the church.[13]

Church groups

According to church records, the following groups were organized;[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "To Spend $40,000 For New Church Building". Syracuse Herald (Syracuse, New York). July 11, 1912.
  2. ↑ "Bishops Join Anniversary". Syracuse Herald (Syracuse, New York). November 11, 1928.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 "Parish History". St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Greek Church Buys Land for Cemetery". The Post-Standard. October 17, 1905.
  5. ↑ "Servant is in Fear of Church Trouble". The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York). July 27, 1907.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church". Flickr, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Dedicate Bells in Ruthenian Church Monday". Syracuse Herald (Syracuse, New York). September 4, 1920.
  8. 1 2 3 "Court Refuses to Oust Greek Church Heads". Syracuse Herald (Syracuse, New York). July 19, 1932.
  9. ↑ "Church Controversy Hearings Will Be Resumed August 20". Syracuse Herald (Syracuse, New York). August 2, 1934.
  10. ↑ "Police Guard Greek Church at Services". Syracuse Herald (Syracuse, New York). January 8, 1934.
  11. ↑ "Ruling Ends Fight Over Church Here". Syracuse Herald (Syracuse, New York). November 1, 1936.
  12. 1 2 3 "Warring Church Names Board of Trustees". Syracuse Journal (Syracuse, New York). February 22, 1938.
  13. ↑ "The Crystal Ball". Syracuse, New York: CNY Sales & Marketing Executives, 2010. Retrieved October 15, 2010.


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